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Hi everyone, hope you're all well.

After many years of trying to attain a training contract, I finally attained (and started) one at a small to mid-size commercial city law firm, which - while I'm please - doesn't do the area of law that is my passion (Competition Law).

Could anyone please provide some insight as to how possible (if at all) it would be for me to move into Competition law post qualification in private practice? I know this is largely to do with experience gained whilst in practice (which is why I'm concerned), but it's not like I don't have experience in Competition law. I worked at the European Commission in DG COMPETITION for a year whilst undertaking a fiercely competitive traineeship, and I understand that some trainees are only able to do 6 months in competition at some law firms, but are still able to qualify into competition law. I'm also considering doing the postgrad diploma at Kings College in Competition Law to show my dedication - but I don't know if this will be enough - or even necessary?

For those who know more about this sort of thing, I would absolutely love your input. Please feel free to PM me if you prefer

ps. I know that i might find other areas of law that I like and will want to qualify into, but I'd like to understand more about the above at this moment in time.

Hello!

I obtained a BBC for my A-Levels and I was wondering if it is worth applying to law firms that have a minimum A level requirement of AAB/ABB. Although I still want to apply to these law firms, I don't know if they will even consider my applications. Any advice?

Thanks!

Has been a little while since we've had one of these. Mishcon de Reya and Taylor Vinters are "merging" ahead of Mishcon's planned IPO to create a new legal and consultancy business: https://www.cityam.com/mishcon-de-reya-announces-new-merger-ahead-of-ipo/.

Although note it's not really a merger right now, as they are staying as separate entities. This may change once Mishcon floats.

Hi

I hold a training contract at Eversheds Sutherland, which I’ve accepted. I also had a TC from Dentons but chose the former. Both firms are good at mid market corporate work which I’m interested in, as well as excelling in other pockets of law like real estate etc.

Now just to preface, I know that a TC is great to have and I’m in a very fortunate position.

But I’m terms of career advancement, how are the prospects when it comes to 1) lateralling to a MC firm or US firm (or even a silver circle firm like HSF) and 2) general moving to clients in house (reputable big ones.)

Is this TC worth less compared to MC firms etc? I had a insight scheme at Linklaters so I feel like it’s a step down. I also know that getting a TC itself is hard, and I should be happy to have received something in this current market.

Any insight would be appreciated.

And I know how people will say stuff like “I know people who trained at Eversheds and now work at Davis Polk or Freshfields” but my question is, is this anecdotal/rare/bordering impossability?

any help would be appreciated.

PS: Checked other threads on TC:A and the likes of TSR, the vast majority was concerned with moving from MC firms to US firms- which is slightly relevant but still off from SC/Non SC movement to more lucrative frms.

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I'm applying to an open day to DWF and they have a minimum word count of 200 for the question 'why have you applied for an Open Day at DWF? Within your response, please demonstrate your current knowledge of DWF'. I've written two detailed paragraphs that I think express my motivations quite well, but they're slightly just over the minimum word limit at 203 words - does this look live I don't have a lot to say since I've barely used the word count (no maximum word limit was specified)?

I've been looking at some of the applications for paralegal roles with a view to apply after Christmas.

Some of the applications seem to ask about salary expectations so I was wondering if anyone had any advice about what I should say. I don't have any experience as a paralegal.

I was also wondering if it is better to apply through an agency or apply directly for roles.

Hello.

So I am in the fortunate position to have a training contract with a law firm. They are paying my GDL and LPC, plus £10k a year maintenance.

Whilst I appreciate that this is a big commitment for the firm, I can’t help but feel stressed as to how I will pay for the rest of my living expenses.

I have to do the GDL in London, and so rent alone is going to be around £10k. My family won’t pay extra to me, and I can’t get a loan. I’ve been told that the GDL is intense and that I shouldn’t work part time on the side.

The maintenance grant has been stuck at £10k for several years now. I don’t really ‘get’ why firms can’t pay a few more K to their future trainees so that they can study without money worries. Especially with the inflation we are seeing, and rising energy bills et cetera.

Hi all,

One of the questions Ashurst asking is 'please summarise for us what a commercial lawyer does?'

May I know is it a pure narrative question and how should I incorporate my personal experience and approach it, please?

Additionally, may I know would it be useful to use examples such as listening to their firm's legal podcast to make up for the fact that I did not attend any of their open day events?

Thank you.

Hello guys, hope you are doing well. I had a question about the business of law firms, I'd be grateful if you could please help me out with it. I wanted to know, why do firms that don't have a common profit pool open International offices. I mean if I were running Hogan Lovells London office (which I'm assuming does not share its profits with other international offices), why do I even care about those international offices existing. Do the the Hogan Lovells international offices function as franchises of the London office, and do they pay the franchise fee to the London office? Thanks in advance.

I'm starting my first year and whilst having okay academics, I only have two weeks non-legal work experience, and literally nothing to put under extra-curricular/interests. Don't get me wrong, I have SO much planned to do at university, mooting, try to write for a blog, law society, pro-bono etc. But what i want to know is, what is actually expected for these first year insight schemes? Apart from academics, do most competitive applicants already have lots of work experience and achievements prior to university? It seems whilst vacation schemes are always talked about, and how to secure them, the same is never done for insight schemes.

Also, bonus questions. Am i able to participate in pro-bono society even if I'm a new first year? because obviously i wouldn't actually have any legal knowledge to assist with lol. And is it abnormal to apply to first year schemes without any legal work experience. I'm a bit anxious as I feel really behind in the process, so id really appreciate anyone's expertise here

ANOTHER BONUS: are these "virtual internships" actually worth doing?

Hi Guys, I've just started the LPc at ULaw and am struggling to get into a rhythm of how to make notes/study/organise all the study material - does anyone have any tips on this?
I always see loads of people online using tabs to mark important places in the text book but not sure what they are marking (might just be too early in the course for me to have figured everything out)
Would love any sort of insight into what others found worked for them!

Is just reading the textbook enough? would I have to make my own notes from the text book or can I just ensure that I know where all the information is and tab everything for the exam?

Thanks for your help!

How long does it take for approval into the membership forums please @Jaysen ?

Hi all,

I was hoping someone could clarify one of CMS's application questions to me:

Focusing on one of CMS’s sectors, what opportunities have arisen in the ‘new ways of working’ and current business climate?

I'm not sure whether the question is asking what opportunities arise for CMS and its clients within the sector, or what opportunities arise in the sector itself. It would be great if someone could offer clarity on this matter